AXL Inhibition in Macrophages Stimulates Host-versus-Leukemia Immunity and Eradicates Naïve and Treatment-Resistant Leukemia.

Acute leukemias are systemic malignancies associated with a dire outcome. Because of low immunogenicity, leukemias display a remarkable ability to evade immune control and are often resistant to checkpoint blockade. Here, we discover that leukemia cells actively establish a suppressive environment to prevent immune attacks by co-opting a signaling axis that skews macrophages toward a tumor-promoting tissue repair phenotype, namely the GAS6/AXL axis.

SRGAP1 Controls Small Rho GTPases To Regulate Podocyte Foot Process Maintenance.

Background: Previous research demonstrated that small Rho GTPases, modulators of the actin cytoskeleton, are drivers of podocyte foot-process effacement in glomerular diseases, such as FSGS. However, a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory networks of small Rho GTPases in podocytes is lacking.

Methods: We conducted an analysis of podocyte transcriptome and proteome datasets for Rho GTPases; mapped , podocyte-specific Rho GTPase affinity networks; and examined conditional knockout mice and murine disease models targeting .

The WD40-domain containing protein CORO2B is specifically enriched in glomerular podocytes and regulates the ventral actin cytoskeleton.

Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells essentially required to establish and maintain the kidney filtration barrier. Due to their complex cellular architecture these cells rely on an elaborated cytoskeletal apparatus providing plasticity as well as adaptive adhesion properties to withstand significant physical filtration forces. However, our knowledge about podocyte specific components of the cytoskeletal machinery is still incomplete.

A phase II study of high-dose octreotide in patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma.

This report describes the results of a phase II trial to evaluate the safety, feasibility and response of patients with irresectable, histologically proven, stage II-IV adenocarcinoma of the pancreas receiving high-dose octreotide treatment. Octreotide was self-administered subcutaneously (3 x 2000 micrograms per day) by 49 patients. Therapy was discontinued after progression of the disease.

[Acute pancreatitis. Classification, diagnosis, therapy].

Acute pancreatitis is a multietiologic entity with rather diverse clinical courses. Whereas edematous pancreatitis has a mortality of less than 1%, nowadays; still approximately 20% of all patients with the necrotizing form succumb to the disease. To further improve therapeutic results a standardized approach should be used.